Rare Zeiss 85MM f/2 Available

Interesting. Is this a heavy brass lens or light weight aluminum? I can't tell by the picture. I had a really heavy war time version and it flared liked 70's trousers.
 
I think all the post-war jenas have aluminium alloy barrels. I sold one just like this lens a few years ago - never a problem with flare, but I always use shades. They are coated, and I found the coatings to be quite good. Just stunning bokeh, too. The aperture blades are works of art.
 
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The Jupiter 12 is a copy of this lens. My dad had a Zeiss 85mm F:2.0 Sonnar for his Contaxes. It was a gorgeous lens - and a great performer. I don't recall flare bein a big issue with his lens.

Paul
 
At least the one that I sold went to another Rangefinder forum member. I regretted that sale for a while . . . I'm now shooting mostly medium and large format. But 35mm is sooo nice for low light.
 
Humorous. There's nothing particularily rare about a postwar East German 85/2, even one in nice condition. If it were a Biotar 7.5cm f:1.5, then, sure it would be rare. But none of the Sonnars can really be called rare. It's biggest plus is, naturally, the red T but does that make it worth that high of a premium?

Considering that 1) I paid $150 for my 1941 uncoated brass lens & 2) the pricing information here http://www.antiquecameras.net/zeisscontaxrflens.html ($450 for a 9+ lens from Jena) tends to make me think that Henry's been taking pricing tips from Kevin Li. He may well get that much though; collecters are a silly bunch.

William
 
wlewisiii said:
Considering that 1) I paid $150 for my 1941 uncoated brass lens & 2) the pricing information here http://www.antiquecameras.net/zeisscontaxrflens.html ($450 for a 9+ lens from Jena) tends to make me think that Henry's been taking pricing tips from Kevin Li. He may well get that much though; collecters are a silly bunch.

William
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Hi,

it does not sound too high for me given that you get a CLA ($185) included in the price which brings the total with your numbers to a value of $635 compared to the asking price of $725.
The antique camera.net prices are a very good reference point, but allow for a good deal of variation for current market conditions.


Ciao

joerg
 
Not rare? It certainly took me a long time to locate a decent one to buy when I was in the market. Even beaters were hard to come by. But maybe William has secret sources. Also the pre-war brass lens is a different optical design.

The difference in price market price between very good and mint can be large. I've always been happy with a few flaws in my gear. Hell, I'm not perfect, so why should my gear be perfect!
 
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Joerg said:
Hi,

it does not sound too high for me given that you get a CLA ($185) included in the price which brings the total with your numbers to a value of $635 compared to the asking price of $725.
The antique camera.net prices are a very good reference point, but allow for a good deal of variation for current market conditions.


Ciao

joerg
Click to expand...

There's value in getting it now - instead of having it sit on Henry's waiting list for two years. I suppose we'll know if the price is too high by seeing if it sells. It is, after all, a free market and folks can choose to buy, or not.
 
I have the very same kind. $700+ Wow. My copy is flawless and is the same CZJ T coated. I wish I had bought the other two (available when I bought mine), the appreciation alone would have made for a great Christmas shopping fund.
 
Well, according to the Vede Mecum, sn 3,2xx,xxx dates from 1949 or so before the Contax IIa shipped so it's likely that the only thing changed from wartime production (which was already coated) is to simplify the aluminum shell in order to meet FSU production quotas. I doubt there was any optical change at that point. As for a secret source, patience on ebay will do wonders. A look to the changes & timing thereof in the Biogon would probably be illuminating as well.

And as I said, I expect someone will buy it. But not all of us drink Henry's kool-aide...

William
 
I spent close to a year looking for one on eBay (this was back in about 2003). For some reason, they were hard to find for a reasonable price. You can always find something at Kevin's Cameras on eBay - but the prices are always high.

I'm not sure what your problem is with Henry. He seems to have many happy customers and, for the work performed, his charges are reasonable.
 
Checking further with those who know, it appears there were four versions of the lens from Jena - 24.04.33; 16.01.39; 13.05.47, and 21.11.57. How different any of them are, no one can tell me at present. Personally I still doubt that it's that much of a difference.

So I'll stop worrying about it and go burn film with my CZJ lenses ;)

Enjoy!

William
 
I spent close to a year looking for one on eBay (this was back in about 2003). For some reason, they were hard to find for a reasonable price. You can always find something at Kevin's Cameras on eBay - but the prices are always high.

I'm not sure what your problem is with Henry. He seems to have many happy customers and, for the work performed, his charges are reasonable.
 
I spent close to a year looking for one on eBay (this was back in about 2003). For some reason, they were hard to find for a reasonable price. You can always find something at Kevin's Cameras on eBay - but the prices are always high.

I'm not sure what your problem is with Henry. He seems to have many happy customers and, for the work performed, his charges are reasonable.
 
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